On behalf of the entire Hoboken Housing Authority, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Better Education 4Kids for donating gift cards to our residents. Each household received a $100 Target gift card. Not only were our residents presented this generous gift, 12,000 others throughout the state received the same that's a whopping $1.2 million donation to New Jersey post Sandy when many have been hurting.

Hoboken housing residents were severely affected by Hurricane Sandy and it was evident that the basic needs were scarce. Even months after the storm, residents are still feeling the effects of lost work and lost household supplies. A gift of $100 can go a long way in repairing the damage during the holidays.

We understand that philanthropist Mr. David Tepper and his organization have received some criticism about the implementation of this program, but we, at the Hoboken Housing Authority are eternally grateful for the help our residents have received. Our deployment was effective and personal. These gift cards were a blessing as they allowed residents to buy food and toys this holiday season. I believe this was a laudable cause and his staff, the Mayor's office and the city's relief coordinator helped to make it a smooth process. Without his generosity, it may not have been possible to receive this large donation.

During the holidays, it is always better to give than receive.

Thank you to Mr. David Tepper and Better Education 4kids for helping those in need by being our Santa Claus this Christmas.

In New Jersey, StudentsFirst, a new reform group founded by former D.C. schools chancellor Michelle Rhee, spent $400,000 on two successful Democratic legislature candidates through its local arm Better Education 4 Kids New Jersey, a group recently founded by hedge fund managers that backs Republican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's education agenda.